Pool starts to emerge as work continues apace at bus station site

Published: 4 September 2019

The main swimming pool at Exeter’s new city centre leisure site is starting to emerge as work continues apace.

St Sidwell's Point - the UK’s first super energy efficient leisure complex - is being built at the Exeter Bus Station site.

A brand new bus station with modern facilities is also under construction.

Both project are being funded by the City Council, and are due to open in the spring of 2021. The current bus station remains open throughout the redevelopment.

As work continues on site, the pool boxes continue to be formed by the ground workers as they work away from the Heavitree end of the site.

During September and October the main pool box will be completed, and the splash pool and learner pool will be formed.

These are all on the lower level of the site. As they complete, ‘backfilling’ will start using the recycled soil stored on site which can be seen in the picture.

The logistics of the site will change and allow works to begin on the upper level ‘dry-side’ facilities – the gym, spa, health suite, café etc.

Work has also started to create the new Exeter Bus Station, which will include covered waiting and boarding areas and high quality facilities. It will replace the current station which opened in 1964.

The initial groundworks are underway on the existing bus station apron, with concrete being removed as well as the retaining wall.

This work will continue during September, with the final archaeological investigation taking place near to Cheeke Street.

The piling rig returns in October, to start the foundation piles under the new bus station.

St Sidwell’s Point will be one of the world’s most energy efficient leisure centres, built to the Passivhaus standard.

The state-of-the-art leisure complex includes:

• A main swimming pool and learners pool with moveable floors
• A confidence water pool
• A 100 seat spectator seated area
• A café to seat 50
• A 150 station fitness gym and two fitness studios
• A health suite and spa facility
• A children’s soft play area

The water quality is also expected to be better than at any other pool in the country.

A special filtration system will mean there will be minimal chemical content, which will greatly enhance the experience for users.

The building has been modelled to withstand the effects of climate change over the next 80 years.